"We just want him home" - mum of missing Lancaster University student Tom Dingle makes heartbreaking appeal
The mum of a missing Lancaster University student says her family are "desperately worried" and she just wants her son home, as an extensive Lancashire Police search enters its sixth day.
Tom Dingle was last seen in Stonemill Rise, Appley Bridge at 12.30am on Saturday (December 13), and police think he may have then headed to the Appley Lane North area.
The Lancaster student is grieving a family bereavement and his mum Susan described her missing son as "in a vulnerable state of mind".
"We're worried about his state of mind," said Ms Dingle, 56. "He's grieving very, very much."
"We just want him home safe as soon as possible," she told BBC Radio Manchester. "We've even put a note on the front door so he knows he can just walk in. We're just here to love and protect him. That's all.
"My husband Peter and I, and Tom's older brother Jack, are going out of our minds with worry that something might have happened to him," she said.
"We just want him home, where he's safe. It's cold out at night and it's wet - and we don't know if he's seeking shelter anywhere."
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He had been staying at his family home in Appley Bridge prior to his disappearance, but the 19-year-old has connections to Lancaster, where he is at university.
He is described as 5ft 11in, with short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black Vans hoodie, black jeans, black Doc Martin shoes and carrying a backpack.
Ms Dingle told BBC Radio Manchester she wanted her son to know he was not in trouble.
"We're worried that he thinks that he's going to be in some kind of trouble because of all the distress and worry of him not being home."
She added: "He needs to understand that we are not in any way angry.
"We just want him home, we just love him so much, and we miss him desperately.
"There's so many people he wouldn't believe that are desperately worried about him, all his family."
Latest from Lancs Police
A spokesperson for the force said: “Enquiries to find Tom are ongoing and you may see our officers in the Appley Bridge area as we conduct those enquiries, which is standard when looking for a missing person.
“If you have seen Tom or have any information that could help us find him please feel free to approach them as they carry out their duties.
“If you see Tom, please call 999 as soon as you can.If you have information or CCTV footage that could help us find Tom, please call 101.
“We have opened a Major Incident Public Portal - you can submit any information and footage here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0401020125L13-PO1. Please quote log 0518 of 17th December.